Changes to the controversial abortion legislation are currently being considered by the Oireachtas Health Committee.

Only the Minister for Health and members of the committee are allowed to vote on the amendments.

However, any politician can attend the hearings and give their opinion on the proposals.

Earlier today Fine Gael TDs who voted against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Billl said their party had broken a promise to the electorate.

All four were expelled from the party after voting against the whip.

Wexford TD Billy Timmins said: "The party itself broke a pledge to the electorate that it would not legislate for the X case because, in the words of former Taoiseach John Bruton, it would legislate for abortion.”

Deputy Peter Matthews: “I was voting against the Bill not the party” when he voted against the legislation.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh said he hoped he would be able to stand for Fine Gael at the next election but admitted: "It could be a decision that I pay a heavy price for.”

Fine Gael's chairman Charlie Flanagan defended his party's actions and said: "It would be impossible to run a country without (the party whip) particularly in times of austerity."

Fianna Fail TD Willie O'Dea said he voted against the legislation because he wants to see a complete review of it carried out.